Navigating Developmental Delays

Navigating Developmental Delays

Pediatrician + Occupational Therapist: = Healthcare professionals and colleagues hosting together: A discussion about topics that affect children, and how we can support parents to seek effective evidence-based treatments for developmental delays, as well as supporting parents in the advocacy process.

Episodes

  1. 11/17/2020

    How to support kids' mental health during the pandemic

    We are so stressed out with the pandemic as adults. Imagine how stressed  kids are!  Here are some ways to find out how kids are feeling and how to help them. Part 1:   How to find out what kids are feeling: 1) Open ended interviewing with children:  a more effective way to get information about how they are feeling 2) Make it part of your daily routine to ask open-ended questions about how their day way. 3) Short-term questions vs. Long-term questions:  often simple questions can help you gauge their perspective on things in a very meaningful way. Part 2: How to help support kids' mental health: Resources:  Books:  * Mark R. Dixon:  ACT:  Acceptance and commitment therapy;  ACT for Children with Autism and Emotional Challenges (available from Shawnee scientific) * Anger Anger Management Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Help Children Stay Calm and Make Better Choices When They Feel Mad by Samantha Snowden MA and Andrew Hill PhD  * CBT Toolbox for Children and Adolescents:  Over 200 Worksheets & Exercises for Trauma, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression & Conduct Disorders.  Lisa Weed Phifer, Amanda K. Crowder, Tracy Elsenraat, Robert Hull. * Coping Skills for Kids Workbook:  Over 75 Coping Skills for Kids Workbook: Over 75 Coping Strategies to Help Kids Deal with Stress, Anxietey and Anger.  By Janine Halloran. * Wilma Jean the Worry Machine.   Helpful Apps:   * Calm Counter  * Stop, Breathe & Think Kids * Calm * Cosmic Kids Yoga (YouTube) Articles: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/well/family/children-coronavirus-grandparents-grief.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/well/family/children-anxiety-stress-pandemic.html https://coc.unm.edu/common/manual/grief.pdf Signs of concern: Typical versus Atypical Depression Remember, depression is a medical illness just like diabetes, and high blood pressure.  It needs to be treated the same way!  Take it seriously!!

    33 min
  2. 09/28/2020

    Cyber school: how to support your child in all remote learning

    Mourning loss of "typical in-person school experience:"   Let's take the guilt out of it   * Remember that school socialization is not the same as last year   * Your kids are not missing out on the same social experience as school had in the past, as there are new social distance rules in place now Learning Environments: * realistic expectations:  clear desk, less clutter * setting alarms on Devices for specific log in times for specific school sessions * Visual schedules Logging in to Online classes: * organized way to keep Zoom/Google classroom/Online learning passwords  * Whiteboard with password for kids who are reading * Kids who are not readers yet:  embed password in word document for children * have a plan with children:  what is backup plan if zoom or other link is not working? * when are movement breaks built into online schedule?   * give your kids specific instructions for movement breaks when class schedule has breaks  NYT:  How to protect children's eyes during remote learning https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/parenting/kids-eyesight-distance-learning-coronavirus.html * Screen time rules for kids: * 20-20-20 rule:  after every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away,  for 20 seconds * Keep devices at least 2 feet away and preferably at eye level OR below eye level to minimize eye strain * do not skip vision screenings and regular vision testing IEP Issues: * if your child is struggling now, do NOT wait for IEP meeting, reach out to school now, document issues in emails * do not be afraid to suggest a solution if you have one * do not be afraid to call more IEP meetings if you need * schools often short-staffed and schools and parents still figuring out what IEP looks like for remote learning * streamlining homework assignments, technological decluttering: * If multiple programs and apps utilized by school districts:       * Ask teachers to make a list of daily homework and what programs homework is due in:        * example:  request DAILY WORK DUE TODAY LIST (and list each program work is due in)        * WORK DUE TODAY  1. turn in video on book cat in the hat (flipgrid) .    2.  turn in math fraction homework (google classroom). etc.  Technology Adaptations if needed in IEP: * consider Assistive Technology evaluation * need someone at IEP program that is familiar with the technology * do you need simple technology adaptations:  perhaps a keyboard with the iPad?  * put all requests for evaluations  in writing, emails etc.  (No phone calls: phone calls do not count) Typing and technology resources:     * dance mat typing (great program to teach kids typing).   https://toybox.tools.bbc.co.uk/activities/id/activity-dance-mat-typing/exitGameUrl/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fguides%2Fz3c6tfr  * voice dictation programs * snap type pro app (converts worksheets to editable documents so can type instead of writing) Privacy issues:   * some schools are not allowing children to turn off the camera  * ask schools for a copy of their online policy in writing Fun video: as promised, ending with a fun video about cyber school from the ladies of "#IMOMSOHARD" https://youtu.be/ETqrzcF_ef8

    30 min
5
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Pediatrician + Occupational Therapist: = Healthcare professionals and colleagues hosting together: A discussion about topics that affect children, and how we can support parents to seek effective evidence-based treatments for developmental delays, as well as supporting parents in the advocacy process.